Machine for cooling stereotype printing-plates.



E. C. COLLINS.

MACHINE FOR COOLING STEREOTYPE PRINTING PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- I7. I909. 1,138,731.

RENEWED OCT- 1.1913.

Patented May 11, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

m lI JIvA-JI PETERS c1, PHOTCVLITHOY. WASHINGTON, D Cv E. C. COLLINS- MACHINE FYIJR COOLING STEREOTYPE PRINTING PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11, I909. RENEWED 0611,1913.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2 N m W I! m I I J 6/7731 276 0571) y Patented May 11, 1915.

@zzwxww E. C. COLLINS.

MACHINE FOR COOILING STEREOTYPE PRINTING PLATES. APPLICATION FILED sew. 17. 1909. RENEWED OCT. 1.191s.

1,138,753 1 Patented May 11, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- THE N0RK| PETERS ca. PHOTO LITHOH WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD C. COLLINS, OF TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN' MENTS, TO WOOD NEWSPAPER MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A

CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

MACHTNE FOR COOLING STEREOTYPE PRINTING-PLATES.

Patented May 11, 1915.

I Application filed September 17, 1909, Serial No. 518,178. Renewed October 1, 1913. Serial No. 792,874.

by keeping the supply valve closed exceptat such times as the plate may be over the cooling saddle; to provide means whereby as a printing plate is guided along a predetermined path, a cooling fluid will be turned on automaticallv so as to cool the plate and will be turned off when the plate moves beyond the position in which the cooling fluid can reach it; to provide a simple and convenient means operated by the plate for looking a valve automatically to control the discharge of the cooling fluid whenever the plate is not in position; to provide for unlocking the valve so that it can open when the plate moves into position; and to provide accurately timed means workingindependently of the plate for positively closing the valve except at such times as the plate ought to be in proper position if manipulated by the machine in the regular and proper way, said means being timed to operate in such a way that it will release the said locking means from all pressure at a predetermined time so that there will be little force for the plate to overcome.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine for delivering or conveying stereotype printing plates preferably from the casting machine, showing one embodiment of this invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof showing parts in transverse section. Fig. 3 is asimilar View of a portion of the same showing the parts in another position. Fig. 4: is an end View showing the end stop. Fig. 5 is an end view of a modification, and Fig. 6is a side View thereof.

The invention is shown as applied to the so-called gravity type of finishing machines in which the plate is fed in a straight path down an incline, but it will be understood that the invention can be applied to other types of machines in which the plate is fed along paths in other directions.

In the form shown, a frame 10 is illustrated having an inclined top provided with an inclined run-way consisting of rolls 11 arranged in inclined position and constituting a guide or forwarding means for the plate P. The plate ordinarily is transferred down this guide directlv from the mold in which it is cast. In advancing down the inclined guide the plate is adapted tocome into contact eventually with a movable stop 12 for holding it in position to be cooled, over a cooling saddle 13. This cooling saddle is provided with one or more nozzles or openings 14 through which water is dis charged upon the inside of the plate from an internal space 15 in the saddle. The saddle is supplied with water through a series of pipes 16 which connect with a longitudinal pipe 18 communicating with a supply pipe 19. The connection between the supply pipe 19 and the pipe 18 is controlled by a valve 20 mounted on a stem 21. This stem is shown as provided with an extension 22 extending through a passage in the frame 10 and. provided with a spring 23 normally pressing against a collar 24 on the extension so as to tend to keep the valve open.

For the purpose of positively operating the valve stem to close the valve, the frame is provided with a bracket 26 having a bearing for the valve stem extension and on which is mounted a bell-crank 27. One arm of the bell-crank engages the end of the valve stem or extension and the other arm is pivotally connected with a yoke 28 which is operated by a cam 29 on the main shaft 30 of the machine. A. cam roll 31 is shown on the yoke for engaging the cam. The mechanism for operating the shaft 30 is not shown herein as it does not constitute a part of this invention. The shaft is provided with a cam 32 for operating the stop 12.

The cam withdraws the stop once during each revolution to permitthe' plate to move down along the guide rolls, through slots 33 in the stop. There is a stop (not shown) above the saddle operated in a similar way.

The shaft 30 is timed so that when no plate P is over the saddle, the yoke will be drawn forward so that the bell-crank 27 will bear firmly against the end of the valve stem or extension, This forces the Valve into closed position. As the plate P moves into the position shown in Fig. l, the shaft 30 comes around to such a position that the bell-crank will be turned back, as shown in Fig. 3, so that the spring can open the valve. This mechanism could be used alone for the purpose of controlling the flow of the cooling fluid, but in that case it is obvious that the automatic operation of the valve would take place even when, for any reason, a plate was not fed through the machine or was delayed in its passage. This would result in wasting the water or other cooling fluid and in unnecessarily wetting the machinery.

For the purpose of avoiding this, the following mechanism is shown: P-ivotally mounted on a stud 35 located on the inner side of the frame, is a latch or lever 36. One end 37 of the latch projects up into the path of the edge of the plate, as shown in Fig. 1, so that when a plate passes by that point, the latch will be tilted. At other times gravity will hold the opposite end 38 of the latch down against the valveistem or extension 22. On the latter is located a fixed shoulder 39 in such position that when the end 38 is between it and the bracket 26, the valve will be held positively closed. WVhen the plate tilts the latch, the valve stemiwill be unlocked so that the-automatic operation due to the spring 23 and cam 29 can take place. The valve operating cam 29 is so timed that at the moment the plate P strikes the valve opening latch 36, the valve operatingcam roll 31 is in contact with the high dwell of the cam but is about to leave this point for the low dwell. Therefore, the valve operating latch can be tripped by a slight pressure from the plate P, as'at this time the valve opening spring 23 v cannot force the valve stem extension shoulder against the bracket 26. This is an important feature because otherwise, considerable power would be required to operate this latch which would tend to stop a slowly moving plate without tripping the latch. After the interval allowed for cooling the plate P, the stop 12 moves out of its path so as to allow the plate to pass off thecooling saddle along the guide rolls. At the moment the plate starts to leave the cooling saddle, the valve operating cam 29 is timed to close the valve andpositively shuts off the water by means of the valve operating cam roll 31 and connections. As the valve closes, a space is opened up between the valve stem bracket 26 and the shoulder even though the valve operating cam roll 31 leaves the high dwell meantime. Therefore, the valve is closed positively at definite intervals by the regular revolution of the main shaft 30 and so remains until a plate passes over the cooling saddle and trips the valve operating latch, upon which the turning on of the cooling fluid is entirely dependent. On account of this arrangement, it will be seen that in order to supply the cooling fluid, it is necessary for the machine to be operating properly and for a plate actually to. be fed into proper position for receiving the cooling fluid. In addition to this, in case the machine is operating properly and the plate is delayed slightly, the operation of the cooling apparatus will take place in such a way as to cool the plate and not throw the water on the machinery before the plate reaches its proper position. On account of the convex form of the cooling saddle and the close proximity of the plate thereto, the water is discharged throughthe openings in the top and flows down gently over the convex outer surface so as 'to wet the inside of the stereotype plate thoroughly without discharging water 011 any of its other surfaces.

In connection with the description of the form shown in the first four figures it was stated that there was a plate stop above the saddle. That stop of course operates for the purpose of holding the plates back until the cooling device is ready to receive them.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6 such a plate stop 50 is shown. This stop is movably mounted on a movable plate 51 and is normally pressed up on the plate by springs 52 so that when the plate 51 is elevated the stop will be in position to engage the forward edge of the printing plate P to hold it back. The springs 52 have abutments at the bottom on the plate 51 and at the top extending from the stops 50, so that they normally tend all the time to raise the stop. The plate 51 is operated by means of a cam 53 on the shaft 30. This cam engages a cam roller 54 which is mounted on a stud fixed to the plate 51. The cam obviously operates to pushthe plate 51 down positively when a rise of the cam engages the roll. Strong springs 05 are employed foryieldingly raisingthe'plate so as to keep the cam roll at all times in contact with the cam. This lifts the plate high enough to project the stop into the path of the printing plate whenever the cam is in proper position to allow it. The springs 55 are connected at their upper ends with the stationary saddle 13. In this form of the inven tion the valve stem 21 is controlled by the upper plate stop instead of by the one at the bottom of the saddle. This control is accomplished, according to the form shown in these figures, in a very simple way. One of the guides 56 for the springs 52 extends down through bearings into a position to engage the end of a lever 57 which is pivoted on a bracket 58. The other end of this lever projects into the space between the collar 39 and the bracket 26 and it operates in the same way as the lever 38 except that in this case of course, when the rod 56 is depressed so as to allow the plate to slide down over the saddle, the water is turned on and it cannot be turned off automatically by the machinery until the stop is moved out of the way of the plate. In this way substantially the same objects are accomplished as in the form shown in the other figures.

lVhile I have illustrated and described the prefererd embodiments of the invention, I am aware that many modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction shown and described, but

lVhat I do claim is 1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a valve adapted to control the flow of a fluid, said valve having a stem, resilient means for normally opening said valve, means for guiding a stereotype printing plate along a path, and a latch having one end located-in the path of the printing plate, the other end of said lever being in position to engage said stem and hold the valve closed except when the printing plate is in engagement with the latch.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a valve for controlling the flow of a cooling fluid, means for normally opening the valve, means for guiding a stereotype printing plate along a path, and independent means adapted to be operated by the printing plate for positively holding said valve closed except when the printing plate is in position to engage said independent means.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a valve for controlling the flow of a cooling fluid, means for normally opening said valve, a latch adapted to move by gravity into a position to prevent the opening of the valve, and means for guiding a stereotype printing plate into a position to engage the latch and move it away from the position in which it holds the valve closed.

L. In a device of the character described, the combination of a valve for controlling the flow of a cooling fluid, means for normally opening said valve, a latch adapted to move into a posltion to prevent the opening of the valve, means for guiding a stereotype printing plate into a position to engage the 1 rotation of the shaft, means for locking said valve in closed position, and means for guiding a stereotype plate along a path into a position to engage said locking means and render it inoperative while the plate is in a certain position.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a valve for controlling the flow of a cooling fluid, means for normally opening said valve, a shaft, means operated bv said shaft for closing the valve for a certain interval during the rotation of the shaft, means for locking said valve in closed position, means for guiding a stereotype plate along a path into a position to engage said locking means and render it inoperative while the plate is in a certain position, said locking means being adapted to move back into locking position when the plate has passed by, and said means on the shaft being constructed and adapted to permit the valve to open for a predetermined interval during the rotation of the shaft.

7. In a device of the character described, the combinationrof a valve for controlling the flow of a cooling fluid, yielding means for opening the valve, a shaft having means thereon for positively closing said valve during a definite portion of the revolution of the shaft, and a locking means for locking the valve in closed position adapted to be operated to unlock the valve by the movement of a printing plate past a predetermined point, whereby the valve will be closed positively at a predetermined time and will be held in closed position until ,a plate moves into position to be cooled and will then be automatically released and allowed to open.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a valve for controlling the flow of a cooling fluid, yielding means for opening the valve, a shaft, a cam on the shaft, a lever operated by said cam and having means for positively closing the valve while the cam is in a certain position, said yielding means serving to move the lever back when the cam has moved beyond that position, and means for locking the valve in closed position.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a valve for controlling the flow of a cooling fluid, yielding means for opening the valve, a shaft, a cam on the shaft, and a lever operated by said cam and having means for positively closing the valve while the cam is in a certain position, said yielding means serving to move the lever back when the cam has moved beyond that position.

10. In a device for cooling stereotype printing plates, the combination of a valve having a stem, a spring connected with said stem and adapted normally to open the valve, a bell-crank having one arm engaging the end of the valve, a yoke pivoted to the other arm of the bell-crank, a shaft, and a cam on said shaft for operating said yoke.

11. In a device for cooling stereotype printing plates, the combination of a main shaft, a cam thereon, a lever operated by the cam, and means for directing a cooling fluid against the printing plate controlled by said lever.

12. In a device for cooling stereotype printing plates, the combination of a shaft, means operated by the shaft for controlling the passage of a plate through the machine, and means operated by said shaft for controlling the flow of a cooling fluid against the plate.

13. In a device for cooling stereotype printing plates, the combination of a guide for the plates, a shaft for controlling the passage of the plates along the guide, a valve for coi'itrol ling-the discharge of a cooling fluid against the plates, and means operated by the shaft for periodically closing said valve. I

14. In a device for cooling stereotype printing plates, the combination of means for receiving and supporting a plate, water supply connections comprising a controlling valve, positive means for closing said valve, means independent of the receiving and supporting means for holding the valve closed and constructed and adapted to be thrown out of operative condition by the plate when it moves into position on the receiving and supporting means.

15. In a device of the character described, the combination of means for forwarding a plate along a path, a cooling fluid supply for the plate, and means operating independently of the plate for positively shutting off said supply except at such times as the forwarding means operates to move a plate into position to be cooled.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination with means for forwarding a plate along a path of a cooling fluid supply for the plate, means operating independently of the plate for positively shutting off said supply except at such times as the forwarding means operates to allow a plate to move into position to be cooled, the last named means being timed to release the shutting off means from all pres sure at a predetermined time, whereby there will be little pressure for the plate to overcome, and means adapted to be operated by the plate as it traverses said path for opening the supply.

17. In a cooling device for stereotype printing plates, the combination with means for supporting a. plate in position to be cooled, of means for supplying cooling fluid to the plate while in that position, means operated independently of the plate for positively shutting off the cooling fluid periodically, and means in position to be operated by the plate as it moves into said position for permitting the cooling fluid to flow.

18. In a cooling device for stereotype printing plates, the combination of means for receiving plates in position to be cooled, means for supplying a cooling fluid to the plates while in said position, means independent of the plates for periodically shutting off the cooling fluid, and means operated by the plates for preventing the flow of cooling fluid until a plate enters said cooling device, whereby the fluid is prevented from flowing whenever the machine is not in proper condition for the reception of the plate, and whenever no plate is actually in position to be cooled.

19. In a cooling device for stereotype printing plates, the combination of means for receiving a plate in a position to be cooled, means for cooling the plates, and means operated independently of the plates for periodically shutting off the cooling means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWARD O. COLLINS. Vi tnesses' SAMUEL C. VINEGOMBE, IV. MILNER WOOD.

Cnpiesofthis patent "may be obtained for fivecents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

